The Boone County Community Trust has its finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the community and has a generous heart to help make forward progress. Adam Saunders, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
Columbia’s Agriculture Park is a Public-Private-Partnership between the City of Columbia Parks & Recreation, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, Columbia Farmers Market, and Sustainable Farms & Communities, known as the Friends of the Farm. This group, with the financial support of over 650 donors have converted 10 acres of vacant park space into a one-of a-kind, agriculturally-themed public park. Park features include a year-round, covered farmers market pavilion, 3 acres of urban farm production, demonstration gardens that supply hunger relief outlets in Columbia, multiple outdoor classroom areas, and many native plant areas to encourage biodiversity on site. Future development includes a 10,000 sqft multi-purpose building with a flexible event/programming space, teaching kitchen, and resources center.
Boone County Community Trust has played a leadership role in the private campaign since the very beginning. BCCT’s early support of this campaign helped give the project traction and momentum to the Capital Campaign initial $4.5 million dollar goal. BCCT’s investment built confidence in other potential donors and has propelled this project to the success we’ve seen today.
Rendering Credit: SOA Architecture